Medical expert of the article
New publications
The causes of increased glutamate dehydrogenase in the blood
Last reviewed: 19.10.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
In viral hepatitis, the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase increases in the blood in the first day of icteric period. The degree of its increase depends on the severity of viral hepatitis, especially high rates are noted with the development of liver failure.
High activity of glutamate dehydrogenase is noted in patients with primary and metastatic liver cancer. With exacerbation of chronic persistent hepatitis, an increase in the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase is either absent or is insignificant. With severe exacerbation of liver cirrhosis, the rise in glutamate dehydrogenase activity is significant, and high activity of the enzyme is considered as an unfavorable sign.
A sharp rise in the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase is observed with acute blockage of the common bile duct. Alcohol intoxication is also accompanied by a significant increase in the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase in the blood.
The causes of increased activity of glutamate dehydrogenase and GGTP are similar in many respects, but there are also differences: high activity of glutamate dehydrogenase is observed in acute liver lesions, and GGTP - with long pathological processes in it.